Amazon planning to use drones for local deliveries

[Eclipse]

Featured on 60 minutes last night:

"...can't be before 2015..." Which says to me "...look to 2016..."



http://www.amazon.com/b?ref_=tsm_1_tw_s_amzn_mx3eqp&node=8037720011&tag=technabob1-20

Amazon's Jeff Bezos looks to the future

[Panache]

Both intriguing and creepy at the same time.

I wonder what the range on those things are.

EDIT: According to the vid, that generation drone has a round-trip range of ten miles.

[TexasCadet]

What is the benefit of using a drone that can carry fewer packages over a truck that can carry many more? Plus, what if some decides to "rob" it? All they have to do is shoot or hijack the signal. Also, this would not work in big cities. Too many people, tall buildings, and birds.

Edited for grammar.

[a2capt]

I can't wait for the NTSB reports ;-)

[Eclipse]

What is the benefit of using a drone that can carry fewer packages over a truck that can carry many more? Plus, what if some decides to "rob" it? All they have to do is shoot or hijack the signal. Also, this would not work in big cities. Too many people, tall buildings, and birds.

Edited for grammar.

Did you watch the video? (The full Amazon feature is an eye-opener as well.)

The idea here is to place their fulfillment centers all over the US so that most people can be serviced within that 10-mile (sure to grow) radius.   Also, ~85% of their current products could be shipped using the existing devices, with a 30-minute delivery time.

That's HUGE!

Not to mention that these devices are way less expensive then a person, and can fly essentially "line of sight".

Heavy urban areas? Not sure.  Suburban areas with single-family homes and townhouses?  No problem.

[Panache]

Even if the delivery address is out of range of an airborne drone, don't forget that they've been working on autonomous car vehicle technology for a while now.  I wonder how long before that gets rolled out (pun not intended).

So, what the Amazon Air Drone may not be able to reach, the Amazon Robo-Truck will.  Definitely cool stuff.

[Garibaldi]

Is anyone else concerned that Skynet is plotting its takeover?

[Al Sayre]

My dogs are going to love this...

[Al Sayre]

Even if the delivery address is out of range of an airborne drone, don't forget that they've been working on autonomous car vehicle technology for a while now.  I wonder how long before that gets rolled out (pun not intended).

So, what the Amazon Air Drone may not be able to reach, the Amazon Robo-Truck will.  Definitely cool stuff.

I think Jesse James built a prototype for the Robo Truck on Monster Garage a few years ago...

[Panache]

Is anyone else concerned that Skynet is plotting its takeover?

(thick Austrian accent)
Come with me if you want your stuff.
(/accent)

[Майор Хаткевич]

Even if the delivery address is out of range of an airborne drone, don't forget that they've been working on autonomous car vehicle technology for a while now.  I wonder how long before that gets rolled out (pun not intended).

So, what the Amazon Air Drone may not be able to reach, the Amazon Robo-Truck will.  Definitely cool stuff.

Watched their short video....seems to me those plastic containers are a cost...I'd rather the thing had bomb-bay doors to drop the item out of the container. 2.0?

[NIN]

Is anyone else concerned that Skynet is plotting its takeover?

I for one welcome our plastic bin delivering drone overlords.

[Peeka]

Even if the delivery address is out of range of an airborne drone, don't forget that they've been working on autonomous car vehicle technology for a while now.  I wonder how long before that gets rolled out (pun not intended).

So, what the Amazon Air Drone may not be able to reach, the Amazon Robo-Truck will.  Definitely cool stuff.

Watched their short video....seems to me those plastic containers are a cost...I'd rather the thing had bomb-bay doors to drop the item out of the container. 2.0?

Amazon will probably replace them with styrofoam boxes.

[a2capt]

They could always come back and collect the plastic box, aka the pie pan deposit..

[SARDOC]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

[EMT-83]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

Pull!

[Eclipse]

This is likely why Bezos rolled this out, we are, as is becoming the norm, behind the curve...

http://techcrunch.com/2013/12/02/amazon-is-joining-not-starting-the-drone-delivery-revolution/



InCake UFO delivery service

[PHall]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

Pull!

Decisions, decisions.  Buck shot or bird shot....

[SarDragon]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

Pull!

Decisions, decisions.  Buck shot or bird shot....

Rock salt ought to do the trick.  Or a slug if you're a real hot shot. 

[PHall]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

Pull!

Decisions, decisions.  Buck shot or bird shot....

Rock salt ought to do the trick.  Or a slug if you're a real hot shot. 

.22cal rifle if you're feelin' froggy!